Crutch.



' G. HIPWOOD.

CRUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 17. 1916.

1,298,713, Patented Apr. li 1919 Invenror. George Hipwood WWW-KW AT Ty s.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 1, 1919.

Application filed July 17, 1916. Serial No. 109,634.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE Hrrwooo, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Crutches, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing,is a specification, like characters on i 1 the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to crutches and has for its object to provide a crutch W1th a novelqfoot portion which is swlveled to the a crutch so as to permit the crutch to be readily turnedand which is also provided W1th a pneumatic feature thus rendering it resilient;

j Inyorder to give an understanding of my invention I have illustrated in the drawings a, selected embodiment thereof which will nowbe described, "afterwhich the novel features will. be pointed out in the appended 1; claims. y

In the drawings Figure lis a view of a crutch embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view through the foot showing the novel features i more in detail.

,1 indicates the body of the crutch which 1. may have any suitable or usual construction.

It isherein shown as formed with the two side members 2 connected at their upper ends by a head 3 which supports the arm f rest 4.

which is also pneumatic in its action, thus -giving resilient or yielding qualities to the crutch. The lower end 8 of the body is provided with a ferrule 20 to which is swiveled a foot 21. This ferrule is shown as provided with a bearing portion 22 and the foot 21 is provided with a stem 23 which extends up through the bearing portion, said stem having a nut 24 screw-threaded thereto to hold the foot in position. A ball-bearing 25 is interposed between the bearing member and the foot so as to allow the foot to turn freely. The foot is provided with a tip 26 of rubber or similar material, and pneumatic means are interposed between the tip and the foot so as to give a yielding motion. As herein shown, the foot is shaped to present an air chamber 27 and a curved flange 28, and the tip 26 is prgvided with the rim portion 29 which is stretched over the flange 28. 30 is a diaphragm member, the edges of which are secured to the foot at 31, said diaphragm member forming with the under surface of the foot the closed air chamber 27. The foot is provided with a port 32 leading to the air chamber and which is normally closed by an inwardly-opening valve 33 that will preferably be springpressed, said valve preventin the escape of air through the port 32, ut allowing air to be admitted. The tip 26 is thicker at its central portion, as shown, and is so constructed that when there is no weight on the crutch, it will be separated slightly from the diaphragm 30. When weight is applied to the crutch, the thickened central portion of the tip will be forced upwardly against the diaphragm 30, thus compressing the air in the chamber 27. The crutch is, therefore, sustained on an air cushion. As the weight is removed from the crutch, the elasticity of the tip 26 and the diaphragm 30 will return the parts to their normal position and the valve 33 will allow any necessary air to enter the chamber to make up for any air which may have escaped when the air was compressed.

The presence of the pneumatic chamber 27 not only provides a pneumatic cushion on which the crutch is supported, but also adds to the pliability of the tip so that the latter can easily accommodate itself to any shaped surface on which the crutch may be resting. The swivel connection between the foot and the crutch is of great advantage because it permits the user of the crutch to turn about the crutch while his weight is supported thereon Without twisting or turning the portion of a, crutch body, of a tip secured to 'tip on the floor. This not only makes it the foot and a pneumatic cushion device 10 easier for the user of the crutch but also separate from the tip and interposed beprevents Wear on the tip which would necestween the tip and the foot.

5 sarily occur by turning the crutch on the In testimony whereof I have signed my floor While it is supporting the Weight. name to this specification.

' I claim: a i In a crutch the combination With a foot GEORGE HIPWOOD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

